Saturday’s 82-degree high breaks through former 80-degree mark set in 1963

Joe McIntyre/staff photographerAlex Garrow, 7, is pushed on a swing by her grandmother Joan Stivers while they spend time together Saturday at Beaudry Park in Cortland.

By ANTHONY BORRELLI
Staff Reporter
aborrelli@cortlandstandardnews.net
Temperatures reaching a record-breaking 82 degrees Saturday brought sunshine and a warm breeze to the Cortland community.
Parks were not overly crowded, but many spent the day taking walks or sunbathing out on their front yards.
Cortland broke the previous record for April 3, which the National Weather Service reported as 80 degrees. That record was set in 1963.
Joan Stivers of Pine Street, and her 7-year-old granddaughter Alex, thought Saturday afternoon was ideal to spend outside at Beaudry Park, near Scammell Street in Cortland.
“I know that some years you can’t win and others you can’t lose,” Stivers said of the weather as she pushed Alex on the swing set. “When you got a good day, you enjoy it — you let the dishes wait.”
Stivers said the family often pulls out the bikes and goes for rides around town on nice days like Saturday.
“We love it, we’re kind of outdoor animals on the weekends,” Stivers said.
The National Weather Service is expecting temperatures to hover in the upper 60s and 70s into Friday.
The weekend is expected to return to more typical weather for this time of year, with temperatures in the 50s, forecasters said.
“But for the next few days, we’re gonna be well above normal,” said Mike Nadolski, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Binghamton.
Business was steady Saturday at Footie’s Freez ice cream shop in Cortlandville.
Andrew Boyce, of Starr Road, and his three children said Saturday’s warm weather and going out for ice cream are something they look forward to this time of year.
He was joined by his children — Sarah, 9; Clayton, 10; and Andy, 12.
The family was eager to take advantage of the springtime weather.
“We do ice cream, bike rides, cookouts, fishing,” said Boyce as the children finished their treats.
For Tony Butler, of Cortland, the pleasant weather presented a good opportunity to set up one of his regular yard sales along Route 11 near Polkville.
“Just the weather and to make a quick buck,” he said of his reason for having the sale Saturday.
Butler had an assortment of used items, such as a coffee table, TV stands, trunks, sewing table, videos and toys, on display.
He said he was selling them for a friend who wanted to get rid of them since he was moving out of state.
Business was going slower than expected, he said, speculating it was because of the Easter holiday.
Scattered rain showers are predicted for tomorrow with thunderstorms in the afternoon, the weather service reported.
Forecasters said a weak cold front was expected to move into the region today, bringing the chance for rain.